High School Youth "Spread the Word to End the Word"

Help us raise awareness about the hurtfulness of the R-word by pledging and sharing your stories year round.  Visit http://www.r-word.org/ and check out the video our friends at Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown, PA created to help “Spread the Word to End the Word.”

"In the Game" with Special Olympics Athlete Brian Stulz

Special Olympics PA - Philadelphia athlete Brian Stulz was profiled in an awesome In the Game video produced by Penn State University’s CommMedia!  The video talks about some of his crowning achievements on the court, as well as skills that extend to other areas of his life.  Click here to view the video.

ComMedia is a 24/7 newsroom and multimedia production facility used by the best students in the College of Communications to prepare them for professional media-related careers.

Content produced by students is broadcast locally, distributed over an HD campus channel, and delivered via this website, psucommedia.com.

Athlete Leaders In Action!

Special Olympics Pennsylvania Athlete & Global Messenger Nicole Huya from Warren County speaks to United Way on behalf of her workplace BEi.

The Philadelphia Program’s First Ever Young Athletes Program

 

Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Philadelphia held its first ever Young Athletes Program on Sunday, April 26th at the Northeast Philadelphia YMCA for children ages 2 through 7. With a capped registration of 18 children split between the two classes, their first session was an absolute success!
 

This event is the first of many Philadelphia program Young Athlete 8-week programs to come with the hopes of continuing to grow throughout other areas in Philadelphia.  Feedback from parents about the need for a program of this nature has been overwhelming and the program is excited to finally have it underway, with a waiting list already established for the next session!  

To learn more about the Young Athletes Program and get your child on the waiting list, or to volunteer check out www.sopaphilly.org/youngathletes.

“Meet and Greet” at Waynesburg University

On April 18, 2015, students from Waynesburg University met with prospective athletes from Greene County for a “Meet and Greet” from 10 AM until 2 PM.  Over 60 students participated by providing publicity in the months prior to the event, photo and press coverage during the event, baking and acquiring donated food, setting up equipment for demonstrations, facilitating the demonstrations of volleyball, basketball and bocce, and working with future athletes to have a fun and informative day.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Greene County program is now ready to start training and competing again.  The newly organized management team will begin scheduling recreational league practices in bocce soon. 

Many thanks to Jim Tanda, Randi Chambers and Brianna Watt for their commitment to making Special Olympics come alive again in Greene County!  Many thanks also to the students of Waynesburg University who committed their time and talent to making this happen.  April 18th will go down as a great day for Special Olympics!

Special Olympics PA - Armstrong /Indiana County Program Prepares for Horse Show

The Equestrian Team representing Special Olympics PA’s Armstrong/Indiana county program has been training since October for its second annual horse show competition to be held on April 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Sergent Stables, 77 Horseshoe Drive in Indiana, PA.

Click here to read a Tribune-Review article about the upcoming event.  For more information: Contact Kristen Kalanavich at 724-388-5272, or email soeqteam@gmail.com.

Successful Philadelphia Program Events' Recap!

The 30th Annual Leprechaun Run was a Wet Success

It couldn't have been any wetter for the 30th Annual Leprechaun Run, but over 500 runners and walkers braved the rain to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Philadelphia. The Leprechaun Run was held on Saturday, March 14th adjacent to the Philadelphia Art Museum and Paine’s Park.

Prior to the race, managers from the Ambler, Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club presented a check to Special Olympics Pennsylvania from their fundraising efforts equaling more than $200,000!  Following the Sam’s Club’s check presentation, participants were welcomed by Philadelphia athlete Lisa Barbour, who thanked participants for coming and led the crowd in reciting the Athlete Oath.   Lisa kicked off the race and off they went!

We concluded the Leprechaun Run by presenting awards to the top overall finishers and the top male and female in various age categories.  Everyone left wet and with a smile on their face as they said farewell to the 30th annual Leprechaun Run.  Click here to view event photos courtesy of TriState Media Productions.

Spring Fling Athlete Dance

The Philadelphia Program hosted a ‘Spring Fling Athlete Dance’ on Saturday and it was a huge success!  Current athletes, potential athletes, families and friends all joined us for a few hours of dancing and fun. Organized by our Athlete Committee and supported by Peggy Barbour and Coach Kit, the dance had over 75 people in attendance.  Through a $5 door fee, the event even raised approximately $300 for the program!  It was a great opportunity for the community to connect outside of practice and competition. The athletes are excited for the next one!